Air supply grille for air conditioning systems



Feb. 28, 1967 w, NO 3,306,178

AIR SUPPLY GRILLE FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 5, 1964 20, Y i 2 o O: /8/7 J3 l6 I Z a i 8 K /7 H 3 /0 INVENTOR Lawrence W Mar/n0 2 BY Q QAW ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,3tl6,178 AIR SUPPLY GRELLE FQR AER CGNDETIUNHNG SYSTiElt lS Lawrence W. Marine, 4%20 New Yorlr Ava, Sanford, KY. 11783 Filed v. 5, 196%, er. No. 209,359 5 Claims. (Ci. 98-4-9) This invention relates generally to air supply grilles associated with air conditioning s stems. Specifically, this invention relates to an air supply grille which is so constructed as to minimize or entirely eliminate condensation on the surfaces thereof and thereby protect adjacent wall and floor structure from moisture damage.

Conventional air conditioning systems take warm moist air from an enclosed body such as a room or set of rooms, cool and dehumidify this air, and recirculate the cooled and dehumidified air to the enclosed body for the comfort and convenience of the occupants. The active cornponents of the air conditioning system may be incorporated in the well-known room air conditioner which serves one room and perhaps an adjacent room and which is physically located in or at an exterior wall of the room. When serving a set of rooms, as in a house, large apartments, hotel suites, etc., the active components of the air conditioning system may be physically located in Whole or in part in a central location, as in central air conditioning systems, and communicating with each room through supply and return air ducts. Warm and humid air from a room is conducted to the central air conditioning system through a return duct or its equivalent and is cooled and dehumidified in the said central air conditioning system. This cooled and dehumidified air, which is for the purpose of this specification termed primary air, is circulated to the room through the supply duct. Where the supply duct passes through a Wall or partition into the room, it terminates in an air supply grille, by means of which the primary air is introduced into the room. conventionally, the air supply grille consists of a metal frame and a core which may have fixed or adjustable louvers therein to split and diffuse the entering primary air for even and controlled distribution into the room for the comfort and convenience of the occupants thereof. As the cooled primary air passes through the air supply grille, it cools the metallic louvers of the core, and the metal frame of the air supply grille itself. The metal grille frame is in thermal contact with warm moist air in the room (which air is, for the purpose of this specification, termed secondary air as distinguished from the primary air passing through the air supply grille into the room) and, under certain circumstances, the secondary air contacting the said metal grille frame will reach its dew point temperature causing some condensation of the water vapor carried by the secondary air. Furthermore, in the conventional air supply grille structure, the passage of cool and relatively dense primary air through the metal grille into the room produces turbulence and eddying which, assisted by naturally occurring convective processes, causes currents of the warm and humid secondary air to be induced back into the metal grille core and into thermal contact therewith and with the metal louvers therein, which under some circumstances, permits this secondary air which has been carried back into the core to reach its dew point temperature, also causing some condensation of the water vapor carried by the said secondary air.

Reduction of the temperature of the secondary air to its dew point by the two mechanisms above described, viz., thermal contact with the metal frame of the grille, and thermal contact with the interior of the metal grille core including the metal louvers therein through carry Patented Feb. 28, 1R5? back of secondary air by turbulence, eddying and convection, causes condensed moisture to drip from the metal grille along the adjacent wall and on to the floor below. TiilS has in many instances caused considerable damage to walls, to wall coverings and decorations, to hardwood floors and floor coverings, and even to furniture, necessitating expensive repairs and frequent redecorating.

time or the objects of this invention is to provide an air supply grille for an air conditioning system, which air supply grille is of improved design.

A further object of this invention is to provide an air supply grille for an air conditioning system, which air supply grille is thermally isolated from secondary air in the room served by the said air supply grille.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an air supply grille for air conditioning systems, which air supply grille reduces turbulence and eddying of secondary air adjacent thereto.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an air supply grille for an air conditioning system, which air supply grille prevents secondary air carrying back into the grille to contact the core of the grille and the metal louvers therein.

A further object of this invention is to provide an air supply grille for an air conditioning system, which air supply grille does not permit secondary air to reach its dew point temperature.

A particular object of this invention is to provide an air supply grille for an air conditioning system, in which the core of the grille and the supply duct are isolated thermally from the metal frame of the grille.

Another particular object of this invention is to provide an air supply grille for an air conditioning system, which air supply grille has a peripheral thermally insulating deflector acting as an air guide to prevent carry back of secondary air to the interior of the core of the grille.

An object of this invention is to provide an air supply grille for an air conditioning system, which air supply grille is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, durable, and which is pleasing in appearance.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description and by reference to the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

Broadly, and in one embodiment, the present invention comprises a metal core including louvers, which metal core is completely spaced from a metal finish frame and frame collar, and from the supply duct, the metal finish frame also being completely spaced from the supply duct, thermal insulation interposed between the metal core, metal finish frame and frame collar, and supply duct to act as a heat break, and a thermally insulating deflector interposed be ween the metal core and the metal finish frame and frame collar to direct secondary air away from the interior of the metal core and also to act as a heat break between the metal core and the finish frame and frame collar. In another embodiment, the insulating deflector also serves as a finish frame, whereby the metal finish frame of the first briefly described embodiment can be ispensed with.

Referring now to the drawing, in which like numerals represent like parts in the several views:

FIGURE 1 represents a view in front elevation of the air supply grille of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 represents a view in vertical section taken along the line 2.2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 represents a view in vertical section of another embodiment of the present invention, which View is partial and which is similar to FIGURE 2 in relation to the air supply grille.

In that embodiment as shown in FIGURES l and 2,

air supply grille I mounted in a partition such as wall 2 of a room or other enclosed body is served by supply duct 3 providing cooled, dehumidified primary air from a source of air supply such as a central air conditioning system (not shown). Typically, supply duct 3 extends through wall 2 and terminates in a peripheral flange 4. Air supply grille 1 is seen as comprising metal core 5, extending into and completely spaced from supply duct 3 and, in this embodiment, metal finish frame 6 having frame collar 15 interposed between and completely spaced from supply duct 3 and metal core 5, said metal finish frame 6 concealing flange 4 and trimming off the installation from the viewpoint of appearance. Metal core 5 is bounded on the top, bottom and two sides by metal wall 7 to which vertical louvers 8 and horizontal louvers 9 are pivotally mounted to direct and control the flow of cooled and dehumidified primary air into the room as is known to those familiar with this art. Vapor and thermal insulation 1%, such as, but not limited to, a cellular foam plastic, is interposed between supply duct 3, metal core 5 and metal finish frame 6, as shown in FIGURE 2, to thermally isolate each of the said metal core 5, metal finish frame 6, frame collar 15 and supply duct 3, as well as to act as a vapor barrier therebetween. Insulating deflector 11, constructed of a heat insulating and vapor impermeable material such as, but not limited to, molded rubber, is interposed between metal core 5 and metal finish frame collar 15 of metal finish frame 6, as shown in FIGURE 2, to thermally isolate metal core 5, metal finish frame 6 and frame collar 15, and also to act as a vapor barrier therebetween, and also to act as an air guide to direct warm and humid secondary air away from metal core 5 at an acute angle relative to the horizontal longitudinal axis of the air supply rillle. Metal finish frame 6 and frame collar 15 maybe supported in spaced, thermally isolated relation to supply duct 3 and metal core 5 by insulating deflector 11 and insulation 1% alone or, if desired, non-metallic screws 12 acting as heatbreaks may be inserted through metal finish frame 6, insulation 1t), flange 4 and wall 2 as shown to provide a more secure installation. Obviously, there are means equivalent to the non-metallic screws 12 as will be obvious to those familiar with the art, by means of which a more secure thermally isolated installation of metal finish frame 6 to adjacent structure may be realized. Metal core 5 may be supported in spaced thermally isolated relation to supply duct 3 and frame collar 15 of metal finish frame 6 by insulating deflector 11 and insulation alone or, if desired, non-metallic rivets 13 acting as heat-breaks may be inserted through metal core 5, insulating defiector 11 and frame collar of metal finish frame 6 as shown to provide a more secure installation. Obviously, there are means equivalent to the non-metallic rivets 13 as will be evident to those familiar with the art, 'by means of which a more secure thermally isolated installation of metal core 5 to adjacent structure may be realized.

The operation of the air supply grille 1 of this embodiment will now be described. Cooled and dehumidified primary air, represented by solid arrows, passes through supply duct 3 and metal core 5 and enters the room or other enclosed area. As metal core 5 and supply duct 3 are in contact with the primary air, the temperature of metal core 5 and supply duct 3 will be approximately that of the primary air. Because metal finish frame 6 and frame collar 15 are thermally isolated from metal core 5 and supply duct 3 by means of insulation 1% and insulating deflector 11, the temperature of metal finish frame 6 and frame collar 15 will not fall to that of the metal core 5 and supply duct 3, and thus to that of the primary air. but will be the approximate temperature of the secondary air in the room. Thus, warm and humid secondary air contacting the metal finish frame 6 will remain at the same temperature and will not be reduced to its dew point temperature and, therefore, no condensation of the moisture in the humid secondary air on the metal finish frame will occur. As the cooled and dehumidified primary air enters the room or other enclosure, warm and humid secondary air, represented by broken arrows, will circulate towards the entering stream of primary air and, striking the inclined face 14 of the insulating deflector 11, will be directed away from the metal core 5. In this manner, there will be no carry back into the metal core 5 of warm and humid secondary air, which otherwise would place said warm and humid secondary air in thermal contact with the cool metal core 5 and the metal louvers 8 and 9 mounted therein, which would result in secondary air reaching its dew point temperature condensing moisture therein in said metal core 5.

By thermally isolating the metal finish frame 6 and frame collar 15 from supply duct 3 and metal core 5, and by deflecting warm and humid secondary air away from metal core 5, none of the warm and humid secondary air will reach its dew point temperature to cause condensation.

In that embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGURE 3, the metal finish frame 6 of the previously described embodiment has been dispensed with, and a combination insulating deflector finish frame 29 is employed to conceal flange of duct 3 to trim off the installation, as well as to act as an air guide to prevent carry back of secondary air into the metal core 5. In one form of mounting, shown for illustrative purposes only, an insulating channel 16 peripherally surrounds metal core 5 in supporting contact therewith, said insulating channel 16 being made, for example, of molded rubber. Peripheral angle 17, secured to the inside of duct 3 and to one flange of insulating channel 16 by means of screws 13, provides a secure mounting of metal core 5 in said duct 3. If desired, spring clips 19 may be secured to metal core 5 to resiliently engage the rear of one leg of angle 17, to positively restrain the said metal core 5 from horizontal movement during installation and yet to permit easy insertion in and removal from duct 3 when combination insulating deflector finish frame 20 is not in place. Combination insulating deflector finish frame 20 itselfis secured in place to adjacent structure by means of non-metallic screws 21 extending through the said combination insulating deflector finish frame 20, insulation 10, flange 4 and wall 2 as shown in FIGURE 3. It will be noted that inclined face 22 of combination insulating deflector finish frame 2%} acts as an air guide in a manner similar to inclined face 14 of the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2 to direct secondary air away from metal core 5.

The present invention, in both embodiments herein described, prevents condensation of secondary air on the air supply grille and thereby effectively prevents moisture damage to walls and wall coverings, floors and floor coverings, decorations and furniture.

While I have shown the best embodiments of my invention now known to me, I do not wish to be limited we exact structures herein shown and described, but may use such substitutions, modifiactions or equivalents as are embraced within the scope of the specification, drawings and claims. Thus, the term wall as used herein is intended to include ceilings, floors and partitions of all sorts. While the preferred embodiments have been described in particular in respect to central air conditioning systems, the same are also intended for use with air cooling systems of all kinds and under some circumstances are capable of use with local or room air conditioners.

I claim:

1. An air supply grille assembly adapted to pass conditioned air through a partition into a room, said air supply grille assembly comprising:

(a) a core fixedly mounted adjacent an opening in said partition, said opening communicating with a source of conditioned air, said core being adapted to pass conditioned air into said room,

(b) a heat conductive finish frame mounted adjacent that side of said partition in said room, said finish frame being peripherally spaced from said core, said finish frame being adapted to conceal the boundary of said partition opening from said room,

(c) thermal insulation means interposed between said core and said finish frame to thermally insulate said finish frame from said core and thereby prevent condensation on said finish frame of moisture from non-conditioned room air,

(d) deflector means peripherally disposed adjacent said core, and interposed between said core and said finish frame, said deflector means further being interposed between said thermal insulation means and said room, said deflector means having a substantially sloping profile adapted to deflect currents of non-conditioned room air away from said core and thereby prevent condensation in said core of moisture from nonconditioned room air,

(e) said deflector means cooperating with said finish frame to conceal the partition opening from said room.

2. An air supply grille assembly adapted to pass conditioned air through a partition into a room, said air supply grille assembly comprising:

(a) a core fixedly mounted adjacent an opening in said partition, said opening communicating with a source of conditioned air, said core being adapted to pass conditioned air into said room,

(b) a heat conductive finish frame mounted adjacent that side of said partition in said room, said finish frame being peripherally spaced from said core, said finish frame being adapted to conceal the boundary of said partition opening from said room,

() thermal insulation means interposed between said core and said finish frame to thermally insulate said finish frame from said core and thereby prevent condensation on said finish frame of moisture from non-conditioned room air,

(d) thermally insulating deflector means interposed between said finish frame and said core peripherally of said core, said deflector means further being interposed between said thermal insulation means and said room, said deflector means having a substantially sloping profile adapted to deflect currents of non-conditioned room air away from said core and thereby prevent condensation in said core of moisture from non-conditioned room air,

(e) said deflector means cooperating with said finish frame to conceal the partition opening from said room.

3. An air supply grille assembly adapted to pass conditioned air through a partition into a room, said air supply grille assembly comprising:

(a) a core fixedly mounted adjacent an opening in said partition, said opening communicating with a source of conditioned air, said core being adapted to pass conditioned air into said room,

(b) a heat conductive finish frame mounted adjacent that side of said partition in said room, said finish frame being peripherally spaced from said core,

(c) thermally insulating deflector means peripherally disposed adjacent said core downstream of said core relative to the direction of flow of conditioned air through said core, and interposed between said core and said finish frame, said deflector means having a substantially sloping profile adapted to deflect currents of non-conditioned room air away from said core and thereby revent condensation in said core of moisture from non-conditioned room air,

(d) said deflector means and said finish frame being adapted to conceal the partition opening from said room.

4. In association with an air conditioning system in cluding a supply duct for conditioned air extending vthrough a partition of a room, said supply duct terminating adjacent that side of said partition in said room, an

air supply grille assembly comprising:

(a) a core fixedly mounted in said partition and said supply duct peripherally spaced from said supply duct and being adapted to pass conditioned air into said room,

(b) a heat conductive finish frame mounted adjacent that side of said partition in said room, said finish frame being spaced from said supply duct and peripherally spaced from said core, said finish frame being adapted to conceal the boundary of said partition opening from said room,

(c) thermal insulation means interposed between said finish frame and said core and said supply duct to thermally insulate said finish frame from said core and said supply duct and thereby prevent condensation on said finish frame of moisture from nonconditioned room air,

(d) thermally insulating deflector means peripherally disposed adjacent said core downstream of said core relative to the direction of flow of conditioned air through said core, and interposed between said core and said finish frame, said deflector means further being interposed between said thermal insulation means and said room, said deflector means having a substantially sloping profile adapted to deflect currents of non-conditioned room air away from said core and thereby prevent condensation in said core of moisture from non-conditioned room air,

(e) said deflector means cooperating with said finish frame to conceal the partition opening from said room.

5. In association with an air conditioning system including a supply duct for conditioned air extending through a partition of a room, said supply duct terminating adjacent that side of said partition in said room, an air supply grille assembly comprising:

(a) a core fixedly mounted in said partition and said supply duct, said core being peripherally spaced from said supply duct and being adapted to pass conditioned air into said room,

(b) a heat conductive finish frame mounted adjacent that side of said partition in said room, said finish frame being spaced from said supply duct and peripherally spaced from said core,

(0) thermally insulating deflector means interposed between said finish frame and said core peripherally of said core, said deflecting means having a substantially sloping profile adapted to deflect currents of non-conditioned room air away from said core and to thermally insulate said finish frame from said core, thereby to prevent condensation in said core of moisture from non-conditioned room air and thereby to prevent condensation on said finish frame of moisture from non-conditioned room air,

(d) said deflector means and said finish frame being adapted to conceal the partition opening from said room.

References Cited by the Examiner 10/1954 Great Britain.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

MEYER PERLIN, W. E. WAYNER,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. AN AIR SUPPLY GRILLE ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO PASS CONDITIONED AIR THROUGH A PARTITION INTO A ROOM, SAID AIR SUPPLY GRILLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: (A) A CORE FIXEDLY MOUNTED ADJACENT AN OPENING IN SAID PARTITION, SAID OPENING COMMUNICATING WITH A SOURCE OF CONDITIONED AIR, SAID CORE BEING ADAPTED TO PASS CONDITIONED AIR INTO SAID ROOM, (B) A HEAT CONDUCTIVE FINISH FRAME MOUNTED ADJACENT THAT SIDE OF SAID PARTITION IN SAID ROOM, SAID FINISH FRAME BEING PERIPHERALLY SPACED FROM SAID CORE, SAID FINISH FRAME BEING ADAPTED TO CONCEAL THE BOUNDARY OF SAID PARTITION OPENING FROM SAID ROOM, (C) THERMAL INSULATION MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID CORE AND SAID FINISH FRAME TO THERMALLY INSULATE SAID FINISH FRAME FROM SAID CORE AND THEREBY PREVENT CONDENSATION ON SAID FINISH FRAME OF MOISTURE FROM NON-CONDITIONED ROOM AIR, (D) DEFLECTOR MEANS PERIPHERALLY DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID CORE, AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID CORE AND SAID FINISH FRAME, SAID DEFLECTOR MEANS FURTHER BEING INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID THERMAL INSULATION MEANS AND SAID ROOM, SAID DEFLECTOR MEANS HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY SLOPING PROFILE ADAPTED TO DEFLECT CURRENTS OF NON-CONDITIONED ROOM AIR AWAY FROM SAID CORE AND THEREBY PREVENT CONDENSATION IN SAID CORE OF MOISTURE FROM NON-CONDITIONED ROOM AIR, (E) SAID DEFLECTOR MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID FINISH FRAME TO CONCEAL THE PARTITION OPENING FROM SAID ROOM. 